Contents

Identification

A member of the mordax subgroup (in the mordax species group). The median anterior projection of the clypeal lamella is unique among the extant species of the mordax group. This species seems to occupy an intermediate position between Gnamptogenys continua and Gnamptogenys horni. The combination of clypeal configuration, small eyes, subfalcate mandibles, glabrous occiput, mesometanotal suture and very brief petiolar peduncle point to this placement. (Lattke 1995)

Biology

Not much is known about the the biology of Gnamptogenys stellae. We can speculate that the biology of this species is similar to other species of the genus. Gnamptogenys are predatory ponerine ants that inhabit tropical and subtropical mesic forests. Nesting is typically at ground level in rotten wood or leaf litter. Some exceptions include species that are arboreal, a dry forest species and species that nests in sandy savannahs. Colony size tends to be, at most, in the hundreds. Queens are the reproductives in most species. Worker reproduction is known from a few species in Southeastern Asia. Generalist predation is the primary foraging/dietary strategy. Specialization on specific groups (millipedes, beetles, other ants) has developed in a few species.

Castes

Nomenclature

The following information is derived from Barry Bolton's New General Catalogue, a catalogue of the world's ants.

Description

Worker

Head elongate, in frontal view with concave vertexal margin, more or less parallel sided with eyes at about midlength; clypeal lamella gradually projects forward from sides and is medially weakly emarginate; mandibles almost linear and with a double row of low tubercles on apical border, dorsally and laterally smooth and shining with sparse punctae, basally with small area of longitudinal costulae; scapes smooth and shining, dorso-ventrally compressed, bent at basal one-fourth and thickest just apicad of mid length; cephalic dorsum with longitudinal striae, diverging posterad at vertex, gula mostly longitudinally striate, weakly di verging posterad; occipital margin glabrous.